Bathroom specialist opens gallery

What is an architect's vision of a bathroom? Renowned Chinese architect Ma Yansong recently gave his answer with the Roca gallery in Beijing.

Spanish bathroom manufacturer Roca opened its sixth gallery in the bustling area of Dongzhimen in the Chinese capital.

The first Roca gallery opened in Barcelona in 2009, followed by Madrid, Lisbon, London and Shanghai.

Other designers who have created the galleries include Zaha Hadid Architects and Charles Ferrater.

China is the only country after Spain that has two Roca global galleries.

The Beijing space uses transparent glazed walls, connecting the inside with the outside. It also has dynamic visual and acoustic effects to deliver an experience that mixes architecture, technology and design.

"I hope that the Roca Beijing Gallery can become a positive, vivid corner of the urban community, connecting people and a city in the simplest way," says Ma, MAD Architects' founding principal.

One of the most prominent Chinese architects, Ma is know for his unconventional designs like the award-winning Absolute Towers in Mississauga in Canada.

The gallery also serves as a venue that showcases Roca's wares from the Armani/Roca collection.

Speaking about the new gallery, Raimundo Garcia-Figueras, senior managing director of Roca Asia Bathroom, says: "The aim is to have open spaces, to have good communication with society. It's not just for Beijing. It's not only for China. It is for the world."

China, which is one of the top markets for Roca alongside Europe, Brazil, India and Russia, has been evolving rapidly with its internet of things and e-commerce, he says.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the company, and Roca, which now sells in 170 countries, soon plans to have an exhibition in Shanghai to celebrate its history.